People First Party (PFP) lawmaker Chung Shao-ho (鍾紹和) yesterday said that he will continue to campaign for the Kaohsiung County commissioner office, despite his party's withdrawal from the race.
PFP Chairman James Soong (
Although the PFP had nominated Chung as its candidate for Kaohsiung County commissioner, on Friday Soong publicly suggested Chung seek a seat in the Legislative Yuan instead.
Chung, however, refused to accept Soong's suggestion, saying his supporters in Kaohsiung urged him to fight to the end.
"I am astonished and disappointed with the new arrangement," Chung said yesterday, "I have prepared for the election for a long time and I believe we will win the race."
Chung also ignored advice from PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (
The PFP vice chairman said after meeting with Chung that the party had adjusted its campaign strategy to win more seats in the legislature. "It's not necessary to waste our talents in the local chief campaigns, especially in those battles which we are not confident of winning."
Chang stressed that Soong is a politician with vision and that all party members should trust his judgment.
The DPP has strengthened its hold in Kaohsiung County over the past 16 years. This led the KMT and PFP earlier this year to jointly support a single candidate in that race.
Chung insisted on continuing his campaign because, he said, the KMT's two factions in Kaohsiung still have not reached a consensus on whom to support.
"I strongly believe that I have a better chance than the [eventual] KMT candidate," Chung told the party vice chairman yesterday.
Chung pointed out that many supporters would not forgive the PFP for withdrawing from the race, and were not likely to support the KMT candidate if Chung did not run.
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